Integrated anti-spill container
A spill proof integrated container having a flexible cover, a snack container, a beverage cup and a straw. The snack container is attached to the beverage container. The snack container has a straw port. The flexible cover is secured over at least the snack container and has a diaphragm with slit openings formed through the diaphragm in order to access a first compartment within the snack container. The integrated container being useful for carrying both snacks and a beverage, all within a single integrated container.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/462,328 filed Feb. 22, 2017 and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/407,428 filed Oct. 12, 2016; the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety into this disclosure.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe subject disclosure relates to an integrated anti-spill snack and drinking container. More particularly, to a self contained drinking container having a spill proof removable snack container portion capable of holding small items disposed within the drinking container.
BACKGROUNDVarious types of containers are known that carry snacks and hold beverages. All too often, small children learning to feed themselves spill their cups and/or their snack containers resulting in making a mess of the snacks and/or drink onto the floor, themselves or other surfaces. Carrying various containers for a child's snacks and another for their drink can become quite cumbersome and undesirable to carry on the go. There is a need for the development of a spill proof container capable of simultaneously holding both a beverage and small items of food in a single container.
SUMMARYA spill proof integrated container having a flexible cover, a snack container, a beverage cup and a straw. The snack container is attached to the beverage container. The snack container has a straw port. The flexible cover is secured over at least the snack container and has a diaphragm with slit openings formed through the diaphragm in order to access a first compartment within the snack container. The integrated container being useful for carrying both snacks and a beverage in a single integrated container.
Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
The integrated container 10 is spill proof. If the integrated container 10 is tipped over, the liquid contents and/or the solid contents will remain within their respective compartments. The integrated container 10 can be adapted to carry various types of liquid substances, such as water, juice, soda and/or other liquids, or small substances, such as cereal, crackers, cookies, small apple slices, grapes, strawberries, banana slices and/or other small items, in the first container 70. The integrated container 10 can also be adapted to carry various types of small substances in the second container 40 such as cereal, crackers, cookies, small apple slices, grapes, strawberries, banana slices and/or other small items or the like. It is also contemplated that various size embodiments of the integrated container can also be adapted to carry larger substances in the first and/or second containers for a verity of different purposes, such as gasoline, air filters, nuts, bolts, jewelry, etc.
Various additional features may be added to the integrated container 10 according to this subject disclosure. For example, a rubber sleeve or other gripping elements (not shown) may be provided around the integrated container 10 to assist the user with gripping the integrated container 10. The integrated container 10 may be made of a durable resilient material designed to take numerous falls without breaking and so that the contents therein do not fall or spill from the integrated container 10.
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The flexible portion or diaphragm 24 of flexible cover 20 is constructed of a flexible material that will not scratch or otherwise injure a hand inserted through the slits 26 in the flexible portion or diaphragm 24 and into the inner chamber 48 of second container 40. Likewise, the flexible material will not catch the hand causing difficulty in removal thereof. The flexible cover 20 may be constructed of an opaque or a transparent material and may be of a one-piece construction with the remainder of the flexible cover 20.
The flexible portion or diaphragm 24 of the flexible cover 20 may be formed of a material with a sufficient durometer. An example of a suitable derometer may be of equal to one in an approximate range of 40-100, and having a tear strength of equal to, or greater than 200 lb/in, or the like. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the material may have a melting point equal to, or greater than 150 degrees F. Various materials that meet these qualifications may be used. Some examples include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic polyesters (TPE), as well as polyolefin Elastomers (POE). Examples of commercially available materials that meet the criteria are Engage, Sarlink, Texin, Desmopan, Dynaflex, Versalloy, Versaflex, and Elastolan. It should be noted that some or all of the above commercially available materials may be trademarks of the companies manufacturing and/or selling the materials.
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The lower portion 34 of the straw tip 33 may include a tapered sleeve 38 and a straw holder 31 dimensioned to receive an upper portion 62 of the straw 60 to seal the lower portion 34 of the straw tip 33 in assembly. The tapered sleeve 38 provides easier access to a user to both install and remove the upper end 62 of the straw 60 to the straw tip 33. The tapered sleeve 38 further provides reduced friction to allow easier installation and removal of the straw tip 33 into and out of from the straw port 54, while also maintaining sufficient friction to remain properly seated in the straw port 54 while in use.
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Alternatively (but not shown), the second container 40 may be adapted to receive the first open end 74 of the first container 70 wherein the first container 70 is adapted to fit within an outer periphery of the second container 40. The second container 40 then has an additional sidewall that forms a recess for the first container 70 to be received and secured. The substantially cylindrical shape of the first container 70, the cover flexible cover 20, and the second container 40 are all axially aligned with the central axis (A). However, it is also contemplated that the individual components may not align with the central axis A for a more obtuse design.
The second container 40 has side wall 42, a first open end 44 and a bottom surface or a second closed end 46. The first open end 44 may have a wider width to allow for better accessibility by a user and a tapered or frustoconically downwardly and inwardly slope to further provide easy and precise access to the cavity 48. The second container 40 includes an outwardly projecting lip 50 around its open end 44. The outwardly projecting lip 50 helps hold the flexible cover 20 in place during usage.
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The second container 40 may also include a through port 155 integrated into the second container 40 that extends through the second container 40. The through port 155 is recessed in and defined by sidewall 42 that extends from the first open end of the second container 40 through the second container 40 to the second closed end 46 of the second container 40. As shown in
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It is to be understood that the integrated container can have a variety of other uses, such as a plurality of storage compartments for holding various small tools, or the like. Similarly, the integrated container may have a plurality of liquid compartments with a plurality of similar straw assembly structures. Likewise, the integrated container may have other applications to assist various individuals having dexterity and difficulty securely holding various items. The self contained integrated nature of the subject disclosure is an advantage over utilizing separate containers for a beverage and for snacks, or the like.
The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. An integrated anti-spill container, comprising:
- a first container;
- a second container attached to the first container, the second container having a through port;
- a flexible cover secured over at least one of the second container or the first container, the flexible cover having an aperture and slit openings formed through the flexible cover in order to access a first compartment within the second container, the flexible cover having a lower portion disposed in the through port; and
- a straw extending from and in contact with the lower portion of the flexible cover into the first container.
2. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 1, wherein the flexible cover has a straw tip align with the lower portion of the flexible cover, wherein an upper end of the straw is disposed within the lower portion of the flexible cover in an assembled position.
3. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the flexible cover having a straw holder, such that the upper end of the straw is disposed within the straw holder in an assembled position.
4. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 2, further comprising a one-way valve disposed in the flexible cover.
5. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the flexible cover further comprises an installation tab.
6. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 2, wherein the lower portion of the flexible cover having an indentation to fit a protrusion on the through port.
7. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 1, further comprising an air port disposed within the flexible cover.
8. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 7, further comprising an air valve disposed within the air port.
9. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 1, further comprising a stop flange disposed within the second container.
10. An integrated anti-spill container, comprising:
- a first container;
- a second container connected to the first container, the second container having a through port, the through port containing an upper open portion with walls that extend therefrom through the second container toward a bottom surface;
- a flexible cover secured over at least one of the first container or the second container, the flexible cover has a straw tip having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion disposed in the through port, the flexible cover having an aperture and slit openings formed through the flexible cover in order to access a first compartment within the second container; and
- a tube extending from within the lower portion of the straw tip into the first container.
11. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 10, wherein an upper end of the tube is disposed within a straw holder in the lower portion of the straw tip in an assembled position.
12. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 11, further comprising a one-way valve disposed in the straw tip.
13. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 12, wherein the flexible cover further comprises an air valve.
14. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 10, wherein the second container further comprises an air port disposed adjacent to the through port, such that the aperture in the flexible cover aligns with the air port of the second container.
15. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 14, wherein the air port further comprises an air valve.
16. An integrated anti-spill container, comprising:
- a first container;
- a second container disposed within and attached to the first container, the second container having a port containing an upper open portion with walls that extend through the second container towards a closed end; and
- a flexible cover secured over at least one of the first and second containers, the flexible cover having an aperture and slit openings formed therethrough in order to access a first compartment within the second container, the flexible cover having a straw tip, the straw tip having a lower portion, the lower portion being positioned in the port, the lower portion having a straw holder to receive a straw.
17. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 16, further comprising a stop flange integrated with the port.
18. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 16, wherein the second container further comprises an air port, the air port having an air valve disposed therein.
19. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 16, wherein an installation tab is attached to the lower portion of the straw tip.
20. The integrated anti-spill container in claim 16, wherein the port has a protrusion and the lower portion of the straw tip has an indentation, such that when in an assembled position, the protrusion fits into the indentation.
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- International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2017/055921 dated Dec. 21, 2017, dated Dec. 21, 2017. (pp. 23).
Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 13, 2017
Date of Patent: Apr 21, 2020
Patent Publication Number: 20180099805
Assignee: MUNCHKIN, INC. (Van Nuys, CA)
Inventors: Kevin Douglas Johnson (Tarzana, CA), Mark A Hatherill (Agoura Hills, CA), Mark Gerard Tebbe (Ventura, CA), Adlin Aslan (Pasadena, CA)
Primary Examiner: Mollie Impink
Application Number: 15/703,963
International Classification: B65D 81/32 (20060101); A47G 19/22 (20060101); B65D 51/28 (20060101); B65D 51/16 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101); B65D 25/28 (20060101); B65D 21/02 (20060101); B65D 43/02 (20060101); B65D 8/00 (20060101); B65D 6/24 (20060101); B65D 85/72 (20060101);